OT strange thingy resolved

[Steven]

Hi Ned,

A Celeste is produced by having 2 differently tuned pipes(in a pipe organ)
reeds(in a reed organ/harmonium).  One set is tuned just slightly flat to
achieve the wavering sound...it would be like tuning one of the stings on a
piano note just slightly flat and you would achieve the same thing basically.

As far as their age, I believe that they go back to the 17th century in very
early pipe organs (but I could be wrong and they "came into style" later).  Also
if you have ever heard a Hammond or Lowery electric organ, the speakers have a
"Leslie" which spins a drum with baffles in front of the speaker and  creates a
wavering effect.  In some reed organs, a piece of cardboard on a rotating shaft
spun in front of the reeds and created the same type of wavering.

Hope this helps...at least maybe a bit.  :)

Steven

Ned Swift wrote:

> Hi list
>
> Thanks for the input on the strange instrument I saw Beck playing on Austin
> City Limit.  You narrowed it down to either a harmonium or a melodian.  With
> those two options I was able to search the web and find the answer.  Typing
> in "strange keyboard thingy" produced no results on a search.  Nor did
> "strange insrument".  However, knowing that it could be a melodian or
> harmonium helped.  I typed in Beck Harmonium and the web lit up like New
> Years at Time Square.  Everyone was talking about Beck playing the Harmonium
> on the floor.  Looked up harmonium and found a picture of one like he
> played.  For about $1,000 I could own one too.  "Not!!"  But, I did find it
> interesting.  The other one that troubles me is the Celeste.  I know what
> they sound like but I don't know what they are.  How old are they and how do
> they produce the sound?
>
> Ned Swift
> Lowell, MI
>
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